Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Mikhail Lermontov

The Mikhail Lermontov a huge Russian cruise liner hit rocks and sank in Marlborough Sounds 25 years ago today. The Harbour Master piloted the ship between the rocks at Cape Jackson, it hit the rocks and gouged a deep 12 metre gash in the side. The ship sank very quickly in the deep waters of Port Gore. amazingly with only the loss of one life, that of a crew member, all the aged passengers got off the ship safely.The ship still lies in 33 metres of water, on its side, it is a haven for divers, a popular tourist attraction.Only this Lifeboat remains, as a memorial to the ship in Picton.